US Bridges

Pocock Road over Little Gunpowder Falls

Fair

Baltimore County, Maryland · 0.6 MI E Hess Road · Structure no. 200000B-0011010

Built
1978
47 years old, rebuilt 2006
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
53 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
230
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Pocock Road over Little Gunpowder Falls is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying Pocock Road over Little Gunpowder Falls in Baltimore County, Maryland. It was built in 1978 and reconstructed in 2006, so it is 47 years old, younger than the Maryland average of 52.6 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 6 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 230 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 345 by 2042. The structure is 53 ft (16.2 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesPocock Road
CrossesLittle Gunpowder Falls
Location0.6 MI E Hess Road
RouteCounty Highway 255
CountyBaltimore County
StateMaryland
Coordinates39.57228, -76.54044
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating79.5 US tons
Inventory rating47.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length53 ft (16.2 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.2 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.8 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic230 (2022)
Projected traffic345 by 2042
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Pocock Road over Little Gunpowder Falls built?

It was built in 1978, making it 47 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2006.

What condition is Pocock Road over Little Gunpowder Falls in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in May 2024.

How much traffic does Pocock Road over Little Gunpowder Falls carry?

About 230 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Pocock Road over Little Gunpowder Falls?

The structure is 53 ft (16.2 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.2 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Pocock Road over Little Gunpowder Falls?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.